Thinking of 2013 would a 1997 Marin bobcat trail with v brakes be classed as retro, it does have some 1999, shimano 9 speed parts as well, I know 97 is generally the cut of point, would this change over the years ?

I want to attend every national ride in 2013 and don't want to loose points turning up with this build

i reckon it is safe as retro i hope so as my soon to be revealed DBR axis '97 will be left out for the poy-keys.

some more modern components are often introduced for practicality sake as, some older kit has simply expired or too expensive to get hold of to justify the build.

i hear the point though. cut off for '97 for retro status is safe for many years to come as there is loads bikes and parts from pre '97 still out there. should that not be the case then, movement of the cut-off point may have to shift up a bit to ensure we all have enough material to work with.

In terms of the points awarded for attending the RB National ride series, you'd only lose points for riding something truly modern (or if you take things too seriously).
Most people will happily justify using a few period sympathetic modern parts like tyres, rims, chains, cassettes, chainrings and brake blocks, especially after the so called summer we had in the UK this year.

A 97 Marin would be fine. The most important thing about the series is coming along, riding an old bike and having some fun.

The 97 cut-off date is pretty well established on Retrobike based on a number of reasons including technology, change in market forces/niche bikes and the dawn of trail centres.
I can't see it changing.

It might be worth considering what the next phase could be called though...

A huge number of 1998 model year bikes ( sold from autumn 97 to summer 98 ) have identical frames and groupsets to 96/97 model year bikes.

It was the 1999 model year when Shimano overhauled all its groupsets, going 9 speed and ditching all traces of chrome for bulky matt-coloured stuff... Although, compared to what they and SRAM knock out now it doesn't look so bad

A huge number of 1998 model year bikes ( sold from autumn 97 to summer 98 ) have identical frames and groupsets to 96/97 model year bikes.

It was the 1999 model year when Shimano overhauled all its groupsets, going 9 speed and ditching all traces of chrome for bulky matt-coloured stuff... Although, compared to what they and SRAM knock out now it doesn't look so bad

I believe that already is the general loose classification.

Remember one important thing though, it is more important to bring any bike, be it just about working or even modern, than in is to pike the ride (aka say your're coming and then not turn up)

Cheers Guys the Marin is very original, I only went for the 9 speed deore drive chain because I had it all in stock and it stands me at nothing, I have kept all the original altus equipment but it is quite worn, Like Marc two tone says we have to stick to a budget, especially when you are running a fleet of bikes

The retro cut-off date has been done to death on here but this is how I see it -

Old School: Pre 1990/91. Until around this time most bikes were quite similar and took inspiration from other bikes of the era - no suspension, 7 speed, U-brakes, long wheelbase, slack angles and tallish seat tubes etc.

Mid school: 1991 - 99. The introduction of the first 8 speed group, XTR, low profile cantis, Joe Murray inspired frame angles and then V brakes, the first DH specific bikes and a whole raft of different suspension designs and methods.

Modern: 2000 on. By this stage most of the advancements had been made and MTB's had developed into what we are still buying today. Hydraulic disc brakes, rear suspension became the norm, elastomers became obsolete and the 4-bar or single pivot design was now the way to go.

Nowadays we have 29ers with 10 speed and 760mm bars but the basic design has remained similar to what was available in the late 90's. In recent years we've had companies telling us we need 1 1/4 headtubes and press fit bb's, just like we had in the early 90's

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